Abstract: A filter cartridge comprising a framework and a surrounding envelope of filter material. The framework is reusable and provided with a rough, granular surface texture to provide increase surface area available for the propagation of aerobic bacteria. The envelope is disposable. Thus, biological filtration of the water provided by the aerobic bacteria is not interrupted upon replacement of the filter material. A second filter medium may be disposed within the envelope. The envelope is held in place by a pair of flaps which sandwich an edge of the filter material.

Abstract: A rotor impeller assembly for use with an electomagnetic stator unit including a shaft with a magnetic rotor directly mounted on the shaft. An impeller unit is rotationally mounted with respect to the shaft. A clutch between the magnetic rotor and the impeller unit rotationally drives the impeller unit by means of the magnetic rotor. The magnetic rotor is formed as an injection molded magnet. The impeller unit is used within an aquarium filter for drawing water from the aquarium tank into the aquarium filter for filtration and discharge back into the aquarium tank.

Abstract: An aquarium filter having a housing unit for mounting on the wall of the aquarium tank with an intake chamber for receiving contaminated water and a filtering chamber for filtering the contaminated water and passing it back into the aquarium. A removable intake tube transfers the water from an inlet end to an outlet end where it can flow from the aquarium tank to the intake chamber. A slidable control valve selectively exposes bypass ports on the outlet end to regulate the flow rate of the aquarium water from a maximum down to shut-off, and all values therebetween.

Abstract: A bottom aquarium filter for an aquarium tank including a substantially cylindrical container having an inwardly directed concave forward wall. A grill wall is removably coupled onto the concave forward wall and defines therewith an inlet chamber. A removable L-shaped insert member includes a substantially circular perforated platform wall and an upstanding convex partition wall. The platform wall spacedly sits on the bottom of the container and defines with the container a filtration chamber above the platform and a clear water chamber beneath the platform. The partition wall mates in opposition against a rear peripheral section of the circular wall of the container and defines therewith an air lift chamber. A removable cover mounts onto the container and includes a mouth aligned with the air lift chamber. The cover serves to retain all of the members in unitary assembly.

Abstract: A filter cartridge comprising a framework and a surrounding envelope of filter material. The framework is reusable and provided with a rough, granular surface texture to provide increase surface area available for the propagation of aerobic bacteria. The envelope is disposable. Thus, biological filtration of the water provided by the aerobic bacteria is not interrupted upon replacement of the filter material. A second filter medium may be disposed within the envelope. The envelope is held in place by a pair of flaps which sandwich an edge of the filter material.

Abstract: An aquarium filter for mounting externally of an aquarium tank. The filter includes an intake chamber for receiving contaminated aquarium water from the aquarium tank and a filtering chamber in flow communication with the intake chamber for filtering of the contaminated water and subsequent return of the clean water back to the aquarium tank. An impeller unit driven by a rotor magnetically coupled to a removably attached electromagnetic stator unit serves to draw the water from the aquarium tank to the intake chamber through a removable intake tube assembly. A partition wall separates the intake chamber from the filtering chamber for the water filling the intake chamber to overflow the partition wall into the filtering chamber. Upon stoppage of the impeller, the water from the intake chamber siphons back into the aquarium tank.

Abstract: A bottom aquarium filter for an aquarium tank including a substantially cylindrical container having an inwardly directed concave forward wall. A grill wall removably coupled onto the concave forward wall and defining therewith an inlet chamber. A removable L-shaped insert member includes a substantially circular perforated platform wall and an upstanding convex partition wall. The platform wall spacedly sits on the bottom of the container and defines with the container a filtration chamber above the platform and a clear water chamber beneath the platform. The partition wall mates in opposition against a rear peripheral section of the circular wall of the container and defines therewith an air lift chamber. A removable cover mounts onto the container and includes a mouth aligned with the air lift chamber. The cover serves to retain all of the members in unitary assembly.

Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly having a filter box with an impeller unit. An encapsulated electromagnetic power unit is removably coupled to the filter box for driving the impeller unit. The power unit is thermally separated from the filter box to prevent damage to the filter box as a result of the heat generated by the power unit.

Abstract: An aquarium water treatment module comprising a tubule formed of biologically acceptable thermoplastic material. The tubule has a specific gravity proximate that of water. The tubule can be inserted within a filter device such as an internal aquarium filter or a filter cartridge. The tubule is light in weight so that it can disperse within the filter. The tubule supports the propagation of organisms useful in the biological filtration of the water.

Abstract: Ornamental artificial foliage for placement within an aquarium. The foliage formed of a material which is not harmful to the aquatic life within the aquarium. The ornamental foliage has a rough, granular surface texture over and above that normally required for the aesthetic appearance of the foliage. The rough, granular surface provides an increase in the surface area presented by the unmodified foliage to support increased growth and propagation of organisms which are active in causing biological filtration, thereby providing an effective source of biological filtration within the aquarium.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use in filtering and treating contaminated water in an aquarium tank. A filter bag (10) is used for receiving a continuous supply of contaminated water (14) under a predetermined pressure. The walls (12) of the filter bag are made at least partially of a porous filter membrane formed of a matrix of pressure displaceable fibrous material. As the filter clogs with contaminants, bacterial growth and accompanying by-products, the fibrous material is displaced to increase the size of the interstices of the matrix to permit water to continue to flow through the interstices and continue filtering.

Abstract: An aquarium filter having a housing unit which is adapted to be mounted onto a wall of an aquarium tank. The housing includes an inlet chamber for receiving contaminated water from the aquarium tank and a filter chamber for filtering the contaminated water from the inlet chamber. A motor unit is supported by the housing and includes stator laminations which can be energized by means of a coil. A removable unitary intake assembly is positioned in the housing. The intake assembly includes an intake tube for supplying the contaminated water from the aquarium tank to the inlet chamber. It also includes a rotor assembly having an impeller mounted on it. The rotor assembly extends into the intake storage chamber and is magnetically coupled to the stator laminations to thereby drive the impeller pump.

Abstract: An aquarium power pack pump assembly which can be removably applied to an aquarium filter or an aquarium vacuum as the pumping source for these devices. The power pack includes a housing with a cylindrical compartment contained in the housing and separated from the rest of the housing. The cylindrical compartment terminates into a neck portion depending from the housing. An axial aperture at one end of the neck portion permits the intake of water from the aquarium tank and a side aperture in the neck portion permits the discharge of water from the cylindrical compartment. A motor unit is provided in the housing which includes a stack of stator laminations having a coil crossing it. The stator laminations define a bore which receives the cylindrical compartments. A pump impeller unit is positioned in the compartment and is magnetically coupled to the motor unit for rotation upon energization of the coil. When applied to the aquarium filter, it will draw water into the filter for aeration and filtration.

Abstract: An aquarium filter and aerating device for insertion in an aquarium tank comprising an elongated hollow body member having an open bottom end and defining an interior chamber therein. An upper end wall on said body member closes the top of the chamber, and includes therein a plurality of apertures. An air conduit connector extends upwardly from the upper end wall through which air can be pumped from an external pump into the interior chamber. The air lowers the water head in the chamber to an appropriate level within the chamber, and forces the air pumped into the chamber upward and out through the apertures to cause a stream of air bubbles to flow into the aquarium tank to thereby aerate it.